Take the Twenty
I’m sitting in a conference today. As part of the conversation, Krissi Barr, a strategy implementation expert stood in front of the room and held up a twenty dollar bill. She asked “Who wants this $20?” Several people raised their hands. Then she asked the question again “Who wants this $20?” Everyone just sat there. I was wondering to myself who was going to get up and take it. But no one did. Finally, I stood up and grabbed it. If you want something you have to take it. You can’t expect anyone to give it to you.
This room is full of experienced business people, experts, CEOs and academics. People who teach the rest of us how to optimize and maximize on opportunities. And yet, they sat there. Many of them had seen this exercise before – just like I did. Yet, even those who knew what the exercise was about – didn’t get up and take it. I wonder why?
So what’s stopping you from taking the opportunities that are placed in front of you?
- Are you afraid of how you look?
- Are you afraid of what people will think?
- Do you think you already know what’s going on and choose not to participate?
What’s your reason – none are a good one for success.
Leave a comment about what opportunities are in front of you and tell me if you grabbed it, or let it slide.
I totally agree with you. Take the Twenty seems to be an excellent exercise to demonstrate the importance of identifying and grabbing opportunity.
There are 2 aspect to the demonstration. One is about identifying the opportunity. When the speaker says “Who wants this $20″, it is subtly saying it is up for grabs. Many get that, but wait for the opportunity to manifest itself. Say in the same context, some may want the $20 but will think “what way can i get the $20? by participating more, by answering a question” etc. Such a person is waiting for opportunity to manifest itself. That person has failed to identify the simplicity of the opportunity.
The other aspect is like you mentioned, the importance of grabbing the opportunity. Very many hesitate at this stage. As an entrepreneur it is important we respond intelligently to arising opportunities around us.
Thanks for the nice post!